Common Buttonquail vs Little Buttonquail

Common Buttonquail

Turnix sylvaticus

Small53 gShrubland

The common buttonquail resembles the common quail. It has streaked sandy brown upperparts, buff underparts with black flank markings, and a plain face. In flight, a whitish wingbar contrasts with the grey wing. Sexes are similar, but immature birds are more spotted below. This tiny buttonquail is notoriously difficult to see. It is a small, 15 cm (5.9 in) long drab running bird, which avoids flying.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: William Stephens · CC BY 4.0

Little Buttonquail

Turnix velox

Small44 gGrassland

The little buttonquail is a small reddish brown bird with thin white stripes on its upper parts with a blue-grey beak, pink legs and feet, and pale eyes. The female is both larger and more brightly coloured than the male. The little buttonquail is easily distinguishable from other small quail. When flying, by its distinctly reddish or pinkish toned upperbody and the contrasting tones between parts of its wings. While superficially resembling the true quails of the genus Coturnix, the little buttonquail differ by lacking a hind toe and a crop.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Zara · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Common Buttonquail and Little Buttonquail.